I am finally making my glorious return to the Website. Why is that? It’s March Madness BABY! March is my 2nd favorite month of the year, mainly for the madness. I have already enjoyed some of the mid major brackets, 2 OT games last night and there’s a W. Kentucky blog sighting on ESPN2 right now. I am looking forward to Valparaiso Detriot tonight and pretty much any other action I can watch.
The main reason for this article though is, BIG TEN TOURNY!
Fodor and I are going head to head (If other ACSS writers want in cough Ryan cough cough Tim) we’d be down too.
Scoring is as follows.
Round 1: 1 Point
Round 2: 2 Points
Semi: 3 Points
Champions: 4 Points
1 Bonus point for correct upset picks.
Game 1.
#8 Iowa vs #9 Illinois
The Pick: Illinois
The Reason: I actually think Iowa will win this game, but I’m making this pick for 3 reasons.
1. The whole Leornard Meyers and his brother’s surprise story (http://deadspin.com/5890234/illinois-sophomore-meyers-leonard-gets-surprise-visit-from-marine-brother
2. Illinois’ campus is actually pretty close to Indy, so they should have a decent showing of support
3. This game is kind of a tossup in my mind, so I’ll take the bonus point for picking the upset.
#5 Indiana vs #12 Penn State
The Pick: Indiana
The Reason: Hoosier biased pick here. Penn State could give the Hoosiers some headaches and it is really hard to beat 1 team in the same season 3 times. Saying that, this is practically a home game and Indiana is way better.
#7 Northwestern vs #10 Minnesota
The Pick: Northwestern
The Reason: Part of me really wants to pick Minnesota, but Northwestern needs a win or two in this tourney to get their first ever ticket punched. What more motivation then that.
#6 Purdue vs #11 Nebraska
The Reason: Practically a home game for Purdue, Hummel will be motivated after fouling out in his last Big Ten regular season game. Also does anyone in Nebraska even know their team is playing? Purdue wins big
Round 2
#1 Michigan State vs #9 Illinois
The Pick: Michigan State
The Reason: Day Day is the best player in this game and won’t let his team lose their opening round game. Izzo excels in the tournaments. Just don’t see how Illinois wins
#4 Wisconsin vs #5 Indiana
The Pick:
The Reason: I actually think Indiana is the better team even though they are the lower ranked team. Wisconsin did better in the Big Ten but Indiana has the better overall resume. Indiana did lose to Wisconsin earlier in the year in Madison. Bo Ryan does get his team to play very smart and make no mistakes, but I don’t see them winning this game.
#2 Michigan vs #7 Northwestern
The Pick: Michigan
The Reason: I do feel Northwestern is a tournament team, but Michigan is the better overall team. I love watching Novak and Hardway Jr play and think they take care of business here.
#3 Ohio State vs #6 Purude
The Pick Ohio State
The Reason: Jared Sullinger. Purdue doesn’t match up well against Ohio State. They have no one who can really guard Sulligner and aren’t nearly as deep as the Buckeyes.
Round 3
#1 Michigan State vs #5 Indiana
The Pick: Indiana
The Reason: I think Indiana is going to play MSU the same way they did the last time they played each other. They will let Day Day get his, but play lock down defense on every other Michigan State player. The Hooisers have been playing with a little bit of swager lately and will use the friend neutral court crowd to advance to the Big Ten Finals
#2 Michigan vs # 3 Ohio State
The Pick: Ohio State
The Reason: Despite the fact Ohio State lost the last game of the season and finished last in the 3 way tie for first, I still think they are the most complete team in the Big Ten and that is why I’m picking them to win this game and…..
#3 Ohio State vs #5 Indiana
The Pick: Ohio Sate
Okay, your bracket may be slightly more realistic than mine. Best of luck my friend.
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